Dirge Bat

Description

The 2020 release of Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths introduced a unique gameplay innovation through its Mutate mechanic, allowing creatures to stack together. Dirge Bat, card number 289 in this set, serves as a key component for players exploring these combined creature strategies. As a Rare creature, this card offers collectors a tangible piece of the expansion's distinct design era, crafted by artist Kev Walker. Dirge Bat enters the battlefield as a 3/3 Bat creature for a mana cost of {2}{B}{B}. Its most defining feature is the Mutate ability, which costs {4}{B}{B} to cast. When cast for this mutate cost, the player can place Dirge Bat over or under a target non-Human creature they own. This action merges the cards, creating a single creature that retains the power and toughness of the top card while gaining all abilities from the cards underneath it. This mechanic adds a layer of strategic depth not found in traditional creature cards, making Dirge Bat a notable addition for fans of complex gameplay interactions. In addition to its mutate ability, Dirge Bat possesses Flash and Flying, allowing it to be played at instant speed and bypass ground-based blockers. The card also features a triggered ability: whenever Dirge Bat mutates, it can destroy a target creature or planeswalker an opponent controls. This makes the card not just a defensive option, but a potent removal tool that scales with the number of abilities stacked beneath it. Collectors of Magic: The Gathering trading cards often seek out specific cards from major set releases like Ikoria to complete their collections or to appreciate the artistic and mechanical contributions of the era.